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LETTER TO THE READER
Digital transformation in Brazil advances with 5G
By Gao Kexin, CEO of Huawei Brazil
5G WRITES THE DIGITAL FUTURE IN BRAZIL
Unprecedented implementation speed and the choice of the most advanced version of the technology are driving a revolution in the country
5G
POSITIONS BRAZIL UNIQUELY ON THE WORLD STAGE
Exclusive Interview with Carlos Baigorri, President of Anatel - National Telecommunications Agency.
MASTER MOVE: OPTING FOR PURE 5G
The requirement for 5G SA (stand-alone) standards in certain frequencies has positioned Brazil at the forefront, but there is still progress needed in networks and, especially, in applications.
19
ANOTHER STEP FORWARD
With Releases 18 to 20, mobile telephony advances to 5.5G, which promises to create room for new business models, essential for the future monetization of the network. 22
CONNECTIVITY IS IMPERATIVE FOR DIGITAL GOVERNMENT
Exclusive interview with Rogério Mascarenhas, Secretary of Digital Government - Federal Government. 25
PRIVATE NETWORKS TAKE OFF IN THE COUNTRY
It’s time to sit down, plan, and crunch the numbers for investment to happen 28
EYES WIDE OPEN FOR SECURITY
As 5G networks experience exponential growth, the challenges lie in the data protection mechanisms used in applications developed by thousands of companies.
30
ROAD CONNECTIVITY NEEDS PLAN B
With the frustration over the coverage promised in the 5G auction, the market is now waiting for the 700 MHz band to connect 35,000 km of highways
A LIGHT IN TALENT SHORTAGE
The mission of the Huawei ICT Academy program in Brazil is to train 20,000 people in emerging technologies that contribute for market sustainability by the end of 2024. Globally, by 2027, over 1 million individuals will have been trained.
IPV6 HAS ARRIVED TO NETWORKS AND USERS. NOW WHAT?
The migration to the new standard in the Brazilian market has progressed well in recent years among ISPs and equipment manufacturers. Now, it’s time for content providers to do their work.
FUTURECOM: A SHOWCASE OF INNOVATIONS
Huawei embraces the motto “Connectivity with Intelligence” to showcase cutting-edge technology at the event, which takes place from October 8th to 10th in São Paulo. The exhibition features 5.5G, WiFi 7, 50 GPON, FTTO, enterprise network solutions, and much more. 04
TO THE READER GAO
LETTER
CEO of Huawei Brazil
DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION IN BRAZIL ADVANCES WITH 5G
WE’RE THRILLED the latest edition of Huawei Magazine — a publication that delves into the impact of digital technologies on Brazil’s economic and social development. In this issue, we’re specially diving deep into the rapid expansion of 5G infrastructure in the country and how it’s propelling industrial intelligence forward. Think cloud computing, artificial intelligence (AI), and the Internet of Things (IoT)!
Brazil’s situation is remarkable and deserves special attention. Entrepreneurs and policymakers alike are embracing these new technological tools, leading to a transformative shift across various sectors. We are experiencing vibrant discussions in strategic areas like ports, transportation systems, roads, oil and gas extraction, energy generation, mining, healthcare, education, public administration, banking, smart cities, agriculture among others. Automation has become essential for boosting competitiveness and fostering innovation, with both public and private ultra-fast 5G networks (and soon, 5.5G) forming the bedrock of Brazil’s new industrial landscape.
In fact, the landscape presents several positive points, but also some challenges abound, and they demand serious attention. Ever since the non-revenue 5G frequency auction held in 2021, the coverage targets set by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) have been impressively surpassed. According to data from Conecte 5G (conecte5g.com.br), a sector initiative involving operators and Conexis, Brazil now boasts 651 municipalities—out of a total of 5,568—connected to 5G, benefiting 63.8% of the Brazilian population. That’s nearly 25,000 installed antennas, serving two out of every three Brazilians.
By opting for standalone 5G, Brazil has joined an exclusive club of nations fully harnessing the potential of this new technological wave with low latency and high speed. The auction marked a turning point for the telecommunications sector, catapulting Brazil ahead of many countries and putting the country in the international spotlight.
Picture our country as a bustling digital construction site, with opportunities sprouting from north to south. The oil and gas sector envisions complete automation of offshore platforms, ensuring safety and sustainability in exploration. Mining and ports already feel the impact of automated cargo and transportation vehicles. In banking, resilience drives intelligence—uninterrupted operations, highly available services, and robust data security. And governments are using connectivity as the cornerstone to bridge distances and deliver more services to Brazilian citizens.
Now, the challenge before us is to ensure 5G’s expansion across the entire Brazilian territory. The more connectivity, the greater the economic and social development.
Now, the challenge before us is to ensure 5G’s expansion across the entire Brazilian territory. The more connectivity, the greater the economic and social development.
Brazil’s homework is to unite efforts for more available networks. One critical issue to address is connectivity in the highways and municipalities where agribusiness and family farming form the economic backbone. It’s essential to ensure that these stakeholders also have access to tools that drive competitiveness, productivity, and income generation.
Another challenging factor is assembling a task force focused on talent development in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector. At Huawei, we invest significantly in training experts for the national market. Our programs are multiplying, reaching students and educators in over 200 educational institutions, primarily universities and federal institutes. However, it’s crucial for government policies to be implemented swiftly to meet the demand for qualified workforce.
We’ve chosen Futurecom 2024 to launch this new edition of Huawei Magazine, aiming to expand the discussion on these critical topics within a forum that brings together key players in Brazil’s ICT ecosystem. At our booth, themed ‘Connectivity with Intelligence,’ we showcase cutting-edge technology—5.5G, WiFi 7, 50 GPON, FTTO, cloud computing, and more. In our magazine, we foster discussions on how these tools can positively impact the lives of all Brazilians.
Connectivity, inclusion, intelligence, and sustainability are Huawei’s focal points. In the following pages, we invite experts from both the public and private sectors to delve deeply into these themes. Welcome to our ecosystem, and happy reading!
5G WRITES THE DIGITAL FUTURE IN BRAZIL
Unprecedented implementation speed and the choice of the most advanced version of the technology are driving a revolution in the country.
Some benefits are immediately visible. For instance, 5G networks allow wireless fixed internet access, offering performance similar to terrestrial fiber optic networks. This enables faster, more flexible deployment at lower costs, especially in regions where fiber hasn’t yet reached.
JUSCELINO FILHO Minister of Communications
BRAZIL IS undergoing an unprecedented transformation in its telecommunications landscape. For the first time, the country is on par with the world’s most advanced mobile technology, implementing new networks at an unprecedented pace. Just two years after the rollout of 5G began, this next-generation connectivity has reached over 800 municipalities, with active signals in 651 cities, home to around 64% of the Brazilian population.
“The expansion of infrastructure is taking place at a significant rate. Since the 2G era, Brazil has installed around 99,000 base transceiver stations. In just two years of 5G, 23,000 new antennas were added, which is impressive,” highlights Atilio Rulli, Vice President of Public Relations at Huawei for Latin America and the Caribbean.
In major cities, the number of licensed stations
far exceeds the targets set in the 5G auction, with approximately 4.5 base stations for every 30,000 residents—more than three times the goal established by Anatel, which mandated investments in exchange for frequency allocations.
The framework established by the 5G frequency auction and spectrum management significantly contributes to this momentum. The Working Group for Monitoring the Implementation of Solutions for Interference Problems in the 3.625 to 3.700 MHz Band (Gaispi), which is linked to the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), has already cleared the 3.5 GHz band in over 5,000 municipalities, paving the way for new networks and services.
During this process, more than 3 million Ku-band TVRO reception kits were installed in homes of low-
The installation and adaptation curve for 5G in Brazil is faster than that of any previous generation. It’s worth noting that the market doesn’t charge extra for 5G; there’s no need to switch plans. While it does require device upgrades, there are already several low-cost models available, crucial for ensuring access for a large portion of the population facing income challenges.
ATILIO RULLI Vice President of Public Relations at Huawei in Latin America and the Caribbean
5G creates the necessary conditions for the emergence of new businesses, services, and applications. It also enhances existing technologies. The corporate market is a catalyst for new 5G services. Our partnership with Huawei in installing 5G at the company’s distribution center in Sorocaba, São Paulo. The 5G network allowed us to connect autonomous guided vehicles, self-driving forklifts, and AI-powered cameras, resulting in increased operational efficiency and reduced production cycles.
ALEX SALGADO
Vice President of Business at Vivo
income families enrolled in federal social programs and that used traditional receivers for TV signals, ensuring that the arrival of 5G in each city would not cause interference.
“The results have exceeded expectations. Despite the significant challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic, we managed to auction 5G frequencies in 2021. On July 6, 2022, Brasília became the first capital in the country to have the fifth-generation mobile service, known as 5G stand-alone,” celebrates Juscelino Filho, the Minister of Communications.
Former Minister and former President of Anatel Juarez Quadros emphasizes this point while tracing Brazil’s journey in adopting new mobile technologies, showcasing how the country has gradually closed the
gap with more modern technologies.
“In these two years, we have made significant moves toward modernizing the telecommunications infrastructure. The 1G rollout took 10 years, starting in 1980 and adopted in 1990. The 2G took seven years, while 3G emerged in 2000, also taking seven years. 4G was launched in 2010 and adopted in 2014. The 5G technology emerged in 2020, and we began our work in Brazil with specifications in 2021,” Quadros reinforces.
The results thus far reflect the appetite of companies to offer this new wave of technology. In just two years, operators have nearly met 75% of their targets set for 2025. As of September 2024, there are already 31 million active 5G connections,
5G has not only revolutionized how people connect but has also opened new opportunities for technological solutions across various sectors, including agribusiness and industry. We recognize that making 5G more accessible remains a long-term goal. Therefore, we’re in constant conversations with suppliers to find solutions that reduce the cost of 5G devices. Looking ahead, we believe 5G will continue to drive innovation and competitiveness in Brazil.
PAULO CESAR TEIXEIRA CEO of Consumer and SME Unit at Claro
We know that 5G arrived not only to revolutionize customer experiences but also to transform companies, industries, and the country’s economy. The fifth-generation network has further strengthened our mission to lead digital transformation across various segments, as we know that 5G has already started to impact the B2B world, business operations, and IoT applications. We are confident that the demand for 5G connectivity will continue to grow long-term across all sectors, and we aim to remain pioneers in this technological journey.
MARCO DI COSTANZO
CTO of TIM Brazil
accounting for 12% of the chips used daily by Brazilians.
“The installation and adaptation curve for 5G in Brazil is faster than that of any previous generation. It’s worth noting that the market doesn’t charge extra for 5G; there’s no need to switch plans. While it does require device upgrades, there are already several low-cost models available, crucial for ensuring access for a large portion of the population facing income challenges”, notes Atilio Rulli.
This effort translates into a new level of performance. Data from consulting firm Ookla, which has a technical cooperation agreement with Anatel to evaluate network performance, indicate that the average download speed of 5G in Brazil is around
450 Mbps, remaining consistent even as 5G expands to new municipalities.
These figures have propelled Brazil from 80th to 45th position in the global download speed rankings for all mobile broadband technologies since 3G. Naturally, the increased adoption of 5G among consumers in 2023 and 2024 has contributed to a steady improvement in download speeds
STANDALONE
As mentioned by Minister Juscelino Filho, this performance also has to do with Brazil’s decision to adopt the most advanced version of 5G, known as 5G standalone, based on the 3GPP Release 16 standards—the international body responsible
The use of fiber optics in several solutions, as well as 5G, has revolutionized the digital market—not only in retail but also in the B2B segment. Oi Fibra, in partnership with Huawei, introduced the exclusive invisible FTTR fiber to reach more rooms within residences at the same speed. In the corporate and business market, through Oi Soluções, we’ve been active on multiple fronts, offering a robust portfolio that includes security, cloud, AI, IoT, managed services, digital applications, as well as data, internet, and voice via fiber optics.
MATHEUS BANDEIRA President of Oi
5G is revolutionizing connectivity and digitalization in Brazil, and Algar Telecom is at the forefront of this transformation, providing faster and more innovative digital experiences for its customers through this technology.
LUIZ ALEXANDRE GARCIA President of Algar Telecom
for mobile telecommunications technology standardization.
Brazil deserves credit for being the first to adopt standalone technology, a competitive advantage that leveled the playing field among all operators. Whether established giants or new entrants, they all started from scratch, without the 4G network core—a strategic move by the auction to ensure greater equality of conditions,” emphasizes Juarez Quadros.
“The first complete 5G network specification was only finalized in June 2020. Today, the technology already covers 72% of urban residents and 11% of those in rural areas,” says Juscelino Filho.
The Minister of Communications emphasizes that this paves the way for innovations in the country. “Similar to the 4G era, new applications and business models will emerge, such as telemedicine advancements, 5G in industrial automation, and precision agriculture.”
He adds, “Some benefits are immediately visible. For instance, 5G networks allow wireless fixed internet access, offering performance similar to terrestrial fiber optic networks. This enables faster, more flexible deployment at lower costs, especially in regions where fiber hasn’t yet reached.”
But 5G’s impact extends far beyond faster browsing. It unlocks innovations across productive sectors—drones for agricultural monitoring, smart factories with real-time automation thanks to network high capacity and low latency. In agribusiness, 5G can elevate productivity to new heights, which is essential for a sector that drives the
Brazilian economy.
In healthcare, 5G is expected to facilitate teleconsultations and remote-assisted surgeries, providing greater reach and access to services, particularly in underserved areas. In industry, advanced connectivity enables the creation of intelligent, interconnected systems that enhance productivity and reduce costs.
Rogério Mascarenhas, Secretary of Digital Government at the Ministry of Management and Public Services Innovation (MGI), highlights the impact on citizenship. “Connectivity drives the continuous improvement of digital government services and plays a crucial role in fostering innovation in the public sector. It enables the government to adopt new technologies, such as artificial intelligence and big data, to improve decision-making and operational efficiency. With a robust network, we can implement solutions that were previously unthinkable,” he asserts.
Overall, the adoption of 5G in Brazil is truly transformative. The choice of this forward-looking version signals that this dynamic will continue. “Brazil’s selection of 5G stand-alone positions us among the leading countries in technology adoption. It’s a significant facilitator for future advancements,” adds Huawei’s Atilio Rulli. “We are already discussing 5.5G, and being on the standalone path provides an advantage as it is a more advanced technology. The major operators in Brazil have already tested 5.5G and achieved very positive results, with speeds ten times greater than those of 5G itself.”
President of Anatel –Brazil’s National Telecommunications Agency
5G POSITIONS BRAZIL UNIQUELY ON THE WORLD STAGE
THE IMPLEMENTATION of 5G in Brazil has completed two years with extremely positive results, according to Carlos Baigorri, President of the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel). During this period, Brazil has deployed far more 5G antennas than required by the regulator, signaling the commitment of operators to invest in this technology. This progress places Brazil among the leaders in adopting standalone 5G, ready to support new applications that rely on low latency and high connection capacity. “Among countries with continental dimensions, only Brazil and China have full 5G. This presents an opportunity for Brazil as a player in the digital environment,” says Baigorri.
In addition to highlighting the wise choice of 5G SA (standalone), the President of Anatel points out the entry of new regional players as one of the auction’s successes. In this interview, Baigorri also reflects on challenges, such as limited access to 5G smartphones, and emphasizes the need for greater integration between industrial sectors and operators to explore the full potential of this new technology. He also discusses next steps, particularly in expanding spectrum availability.
How do you evaluate the first two years of 5G in Brazil?
My evaluation of these two years is extremely positive. First, from the industry’s
CARLOS BAIGORRI
perspective — regarding how it responded. The auction imposed various coverage and infrastructure installation obligations, and what we’re witnessing is that companies are installing far more than initially required, significantly exceeding the number of base stations specified in the auction.
Second, they haven’t limited themselves to the auction requirements. They’re doing much more. This demonstrates the operators’ willingness to invest, which is very encouraging. Another positive aspect was the extensive debate around choosing standalone 5G or non-standalone 5G. There was significant criticism at the time. However, what I observe is that opting for standalone 5G was the right decision because we now have 5G in its stateof-the-art form, equipped with all the capabilities to generate new applications
Does this intense investment signal that companies were expecting a quicker adoption curve?
The Brazilian market is highly competitive. Companies constantly vie to differentiate themselves, competing to offer the best 5G. In any airport, you’ll find giant posters proclaiming, “Choose this operator—the best 5G in Brazil, the best 4G in Brazil.” There’s fierce competition among them.
Additionally, 5G is currently operating in the 3.5 GHz band. Although lower-frequency 5G bands are planned, the current coverage area is smaller. Thus, to provide coverage in a city, many towers are required, necessitating network densification. This densification has also resulted in significant investments in network construction.
Looking back, you mentioned that choosing 5G SA (standalone) was a wise decision. What else has proven successful in the auction plan?
One significant success of 5G was enabling the entry of regional players such as Brisanet, Unifique, Yes, and Ligga. Brisanet is already launching commercial 5G services, and Unifique is also operational. Ligga has announced a partnership model, and Yes has already begun sharing its core network with Algar. So, we can see that progress is being made.
However, one aspect that could have been improved in the auction was the 700 MHz block.
The initial design didn’t work out, and we are now in the process of re-auctioning the band. This is well underway and going to the Council. The idea is to make the 700 MHz band available to the market, precisely to complement the 3.5 GHz band.
We had a plan in mind, but reality turned out differently. In fixed broadband, it seems to have more potential than in mobile telephony. The key differentiator in mobile is the network, and having a standard network shared among a few players doesn’t seem to be a viable business model. No one has adopted it, although we had hoped for it. But that’s part of life. The important thing is to correct quickly.
Apart from the 700 MHz issue, what has proven to be a challenge for the new mobile generation?
Devices, particularly smartphones, remain a problem. In Brazil, we have a market where three main manufacturers—all producing locally—create jobs, generate tax revenue, and offer better, more competitive prices for consumers. Currently, Samsung, Apple, and Motorola are the major players offering great products. However, access to smartphones remains one of the main barriers to 5G adoption.
Another barrier to 5G adoption, which is also an opportunity for Brazil as a player in the digital environment, is that globally, only Brazil and China, with their well-implemented standalone 5G networks, have continental dimensions. These countries have policies aimed at developing applications and an entire 5G ecosystem. Applications that utilize all of 5G’s capabilities— low latency, millions of connections, and high throughput—will surely emerge.
Brazil’s environment is also conducive to this, and is much more open to foreign investment and for startups to try to create these applications. So, what’s missing? Many people have yet to migrate to 5G or don’t see a reason to switch because there isn’t a must-have application that requires 5G. No killer app exists yet that justifies the switch. And this isn’t just in Brazil, but globally, as most of the 5G networks out there are non-standalone.
Brazil has the infrastructure for these applications to emerge here. We have an open, continental market, a large population that enjoys innovation and being
“Many people have yet to migrate to 5G because there isn’t a must-have application that requires 5G. Development isn’t Anatel’s role. We’ve created the infrastructure for this to happen. Now, we hope that some Brazilian startup thinks of that application.”
early adopters. We are well-positioned for such an application to appear in Brazil. But developing applications isn’t Anatel’s role. We’ve created the infrastructure for this to happen. Now, we hope that some Brazilian startup thinks of that application.
It was said that this technological generation would be more noticeable to companies than to consumers. Has this proven true?
A challenge for 5G adoption is that it offers far more benefits to industries than to individuals. What we’ve noticed is a knowledge gap in verticals like agribusiness, industry, logistics, and healthcare— they don’t yet have a deep understanding of 5G technology and how it can transform their businesses. On the other hand, the operators understand all the technology but lack expertise in fields like agriculture, oil and gas, etc.
To address this, Anatel, in collaboration with the
Brazilian Agency for Industrial Development (ABDI), will once again promote an award to showcase opportunities. By highlighting successful 5G use cases in logistics, oil and gas, and energy, we aim to raise awareness of what can be achieved with 5G. We did this last year, and will do it again, to connect these actors who don’t necessarily know each other.
Interestingly, I’ve noticed a mindset shift among operators. Recently, I met with an operator that started hiring agronomists to develop products for agriculture sector. While engineers, lawyers, and economists have always been part of the industry, they are now bringing in agronomists. A similar trend could happen in oil and gas or mining. There’s a missing link, and our role is to encourage it.
So far, the only sector showing interest in private networks is the electrical industry...
The electrical sector indeed has significant potential. Recently, I attended an event hosted by the Utilities, Technology, and Telecommunications Council (UTC). Typically, the first thing that comes to mind is smart meters. However, they are now building their own network, utilizing the 410 MHz and 450 MHz secondary-use spectrum to avoid spending money on purchasing spectrum. Of course, if a power distributor requests spectrum, we authorize it. The same goes for gas or water utilities. But eventually, interference will occur because everyone will be using overlapping frequencies.
Does it make sense for companies to invest in Capex, build their own networks, and hire spectrum engineers instead of working with operators? I’ve heard from the power sector that this relates to quality and latency requirements set by the National Electric System Operator (Operador Nacional do Sistema Elétrico), which the public network might not meet. My response is that while the public 4G network may not suffice, 5G offers slicing. In other words, a private network can be created within the public network.
It seems to me that this highlights the missing link between industry and operators. Solutions are available. There’s no need to spend money on buying base stations, hiring engineers, and acquiring a frequency band that will soon become congested.
Not to mention the risks. Will they choose Sigfox, LTE, LoRA [types of network protocols]? And if it doesn’t work out, they’ll have to start over. Telecom already has a ready-made network. Just do 5G slicing with whatever requirements you need.
While commercial offerings are accelerating, accessory goals like connecting schools or implementing government private networks don’t seem to progress at the same pace. Why?
It depends. The North Connected (Norte Conectado) policy was very well-designed and had been developed across multiple governments—from Dilma to Temer, Bolsonaro, and Lula administrations. It had maturity and a solid framework. Because it was clearly defined, it’s being well-executed. Despite some challenges with environmental licensing and now droughtrelated issues, it’s progressing smoothly due to a clear vision of how and where to get to.
Regarding private networks, the concept was never entirely clear. When it came time to execute, there was a delay in defining it. We had to wait for public policy decisions. Once we received the technical note from the Ministry defining what a private network was, things started moving forward quickly.
The same applies to schools. When we made the bid, the goal was to connect schools, provide equipment, and train teachers. However, the government later decided on the National Connected Schools Strategy (Estratégia Nacional das Escolas Conectadas), redefining the project to only connect schools without fiber. Then there was a discussion about satellite connectivity, resulting in the choice of Telebras. We had to wait for that decision. In summary, having clear directives impacts progress.
The telecommunications sector approaches the significant milestone of 2025—the end of telephony concessions. What impact is expected from this transition?
The most significant relevance of ending concessions lies not so much in the market but with the State. The Fixed Switched Telephone
Service (STFC) is already completely obsolete, and its user base is shrinking month after month. So, for the market, it will provide relief in terms of regulatory costs. However, I don’t believe it will lead to a transformation in fiber development or other technologies; that has already occurred.
The primary beneficiary of adaptation agreements is the Brazilian State, which will no longer be obligated to provide a service that no one wants. Maintaining this service costs billions annually. Imagining that the State would commit to spending billions each year to maintain an unwanted service—when Brazil faces challenges in health, the environment, education, and security—would be a huge waste. Ending concessions and, in return, still demanding something is the best path for the State.
Anatel has prioritized new spectrum auctions in 2025, especially the 700 MHz band. What is the agency aiming for in the near future?
In recent years, since 2012, when Anatel shifted its mindset to promote competition through the General Plan for Competition Goals (PGMC), we’ve seen a revolution in the fixed broadband market. However, in mobile broadband, especially considering what happened with Nextel and Oi, the market has consolidated significantly.
Now, our focus needs to be on mitigating market power abuse, reducing entry barriers, and ensuring a similar dynamic to the fixed broadband market—perhaps not identical, but at least applying a proven successful formula. The primary entry barrier and essential input for mobile broadband service provision is spectrum. Therefore, we will heavily emphasize spectrum issues in the next cycle, including spectrum sharing and secondary spectrum use.
We’ll also look at the A and B bands because we need to refarm them. These bands date back to a time when channels were only 2.5 MHz wide. So, reorganizing the spectrum is necessary because, in today’s market dynamics, it remains the most essential resource. That’s why we’re moving toward PGMC and spectrum considerations to address these issues within this timeframe.
MASTER MOVE: OPTING FOR
PURE 5G
The requirement for 5G SA standards in certain frequencies has positioned Brazil at the forefront, but there is still progress needed in networks and, especially, in applications.
JULY 6, 2022, marked the beginning of 5G network operations in Brazil, with Brasília being the first capital to have 5G standalone (5G SA). Deploying networks based on the 3GPP Release 16 standard was one of the requirements in the frequency auction, placing the country at the forefront. “Apart from China, which implemented standalone from the outset, Europe and the United States are just beginning to roll out 5G SA. Brazil advanced due to Anatel’s requirement,” summarizes Eduardo Tude, founder and CEO of Teleco consulting firm.
“The obligation imposed by Anatel to have 5G standalone positioned Brazil ahead of other countries, as it is already built with a 5G core, and 5.5G needs this core for its functionalities,” emphasizes Vinicius Caram, Superintendent of Licensing and Resources at the
The obligation imposed by Anatel to have 5G standalone positioned Brazil ahead of other countries, as it is already built with a 5G core, and 5.5G needs this core for its functionalities.
VINICIUS CARAM Superintendent of Licensing and Resources at
Anatel
Now that the intense network construction phase has passed, there’s pressure on how operators will focus on innovation and services.
ARI LOPES
Head of Service Provider Practices for
National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel).
Carlos Roseiro, ICT Marketing Director at Huawei Brazil, adds that Brazil is one of the countries with the most 5G SA networks compared to others because, by having launched earlier, service providers adopted Release 15. “In Brazil, telecom service providers launched Releases 15 and 16 simultaneously. The results were positive. The obligations, which are due in 2025, are almost fully met, and we have a 5G penetration rate of over 10% of Brazil’s total population, with more than 20% of users in the capitals already using 5G,” says the executive.
In Latin America, Brazil stands out in 5G SA networks, partly due to Anatel’s requirements. However, according to Ari Lopes, Head of Service Provider Practices for the Americas at Omdia, pure networks are still operating with limitations. “So far, there haven’t been significant innovations. While Brazil’s 5G networks are good, they lack innovative services,” he reflects.
Lopes adds that analyzing operators’ reports indicates increased investments due to
the Americas at Omdia
5G. Now that the intense network construction phase has passed, there’s pressure on how operators will focus on innovation, services, and the utilization of stand-alone 5G.
With lower latency and the ability to create sub-networks through slicing techniques, the 5G stand-alone architecture is ready to deliver on the initial hype by enabling new services that can be monetized for revenue growth. Unlike non-stand-alone 5G (NSA), which reuses the 4G core, 5G SA doesn’t rely on 4G and is considered pure 5G, offering higher data throughput rates, lower latencies, and greater access density per square kilometer.
However, from the end consumer’s perspective, there isn’t much difference today between 5G SA and NSA (non-standalone) due to applications. “Firstly, you need a standalonecompatible smartphone, and secondly, there’s no obligation for all base stations to be 5G standalone. Currently, there are no consumer applications that specifically demand 5G SA,” explains Tude, adding that 5G SA and 5.5G primarily focus on supporting corporate growth
It’s been two years, and the advantages of the technology are fantastic: greater coverage density, a very high concentration of users in the coverage area, not to mention speed.
JUAREZ QUADROS
Former Minister and former President of Anatel
and business-to-business (B2B) applications. “For operators, the main focus is retail and consumers, while B2B represents an attempt to introduce revenue-enhancing applications. However, the current significant gain lies in providing higher speeds, which increases consumption and allows for lower prices due to lower cost per bit without needing additional antennas,” details Tude. One barrier, however, is the dependence on the availability of devices compatible with 5G SA for base growth.
Similarly, Roseiro from Huawei believes that 5G NSA and SA don’t significantly
differ for end users. While there are distinct network capabilities, there are no practical effects for consumers at the user level. “The significant difference between 4G and 5G lies in improving existing services because we haven’t yet seen new services generated by 5G or a killer application,” states the executive.
“In the near future, we’ll have ‘high-powered cars’ as the new services. The network enables services that are unlikely to run on 4G,” explains Roseiro. In the Chinese market, services like 3D without glasses and new calling are emerging, promising more interactive and immersive
Apart from China, which implemented standalone from the outset, Europe and the United States are just beginning to roll out 5G SA. Brazil advanced due to Anatel’s requirement.
EDUARDO TUDE Founder and CEO of Teleco consulting firm
PRIVATE NETWORKS IN 5G SA
THE 5G STANDALONE (5G SA) architecture has been touted as ideal for building private networks, especially for applications that require high speed and ultra-low latency—something that 4G could not achieve. However, Eduardo Tude, CEO of the consulting firm Teleco, notes that private networks are advancing slowly and gradually. They are typically deployed as part of companies’ digital transformation processes and require significant investments.
“We’ve been monitoring the private networks of 41 companies announced in Brazil, and most of them are using 4G. Many start with 4G because they don’t necessarily need low latency but do require a network with greater capacity,” he explained. “The 5G network with low latency is more critical for applications in industrial plants,” he added.
Reliable connections are precisely what the Technology Innovation Center of Hospital das Clínicas (InovaHC) is seeking for its OpenCare 5G project, which is currently in the expansion phase and selecting who will operate its networks. When performing remote image diagnostics— such as ultrasound—the OpenCare 5G relies heavily on bandwidth and requires customized telecommunications services, something that 4G cannot adequately provide.
When the agency mandated that telecommunications service providers activate 5G standalone networks, the goal was precisely for the networks to start with the 5G core.
SIDNEY AZEREDO NINCE
Advisor at Anatel
phone calls—for example, using avatars or offering real-time simultaneous translation.
REQUIREMENT FOR LEADERSHIP
When drafting the 5G auction rules, which were established at the end of 2021, the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) stipulated the use of 5G SA networks in the 3.5 GHz band. The rules also included commitments to ensure that all cities in Brazil have full 5G coverage by the end of 2029.
Two years after the start of 5G network deployment, Brazil had, as of July 2024, over 810 municipalities, including all capitals, with licensed stations (towers/antennas) and active signals in at least 589 of them, providing an average coverage of 45%. Additionally, 28 million users have smartphones that allow them to connect to the internet using the new technology, according to government data.
For former Communications Minister and former Anatel president Juarez Quadros, when the first antenna was activated in Brasília, Brazil took a big step toward modernizing its telecommunications infrastructure. “It’s been two years, and the advantages of the technology are fantastic: greater coverage density, a very high concentration of users in the coverage area, not to mention speed. Brazil’s decision to adopt SA, without relying on 4G infrastructure, marked the beginning of a new technology without legacy constraints,” emphasizes Quadros.
The decision to go with pure 5G requires more investments but brings advantages. One of these, according to Quadros, was
establishing equal opportunities for companies to start on even footing, as they would have to build the network without any legacy.
Sidney Azeredo Nince, an advisor at Anatel, explains that “when the agency mandated that telecommunications service providers activate 5G standalone networks, the goal was precisely for the networks to start with the 5G core.” He adds that, “from there, we started with the deployment of 5G at its maximum capacity because if I have an NSA network that still uses 4G core, those functionalities envisioned for 5G are not offered.”
5G started with the end consumer and is advancing as fixed wireless access (FWA), private networks, which are still a new market but whose use cases have been served by 4G; edge computing and network slicing. “Globally, there is still a lot of uncertainty about how monetization will work with 5G. Anatel’s understanding was to capitalize on the market and put Brazil at the forefront, with 5G fostering new businesses. The idea is to develop the national market for new businesses, but this has not yet happened,” says Lopes from Omdia.
Two years after the start of 5G networks, it is observed that Anatel’s intention to place the country at the forefront with the requirement for pure networks has been successful, and indeed Brazil has advanced. However, experts highlight the need to foster the market by creating business models that bring profitability to the new infrastructure. One thing is certain: 5G SA is the gateway to advancement toward 5.5G and 6G — a growth trajectory inherent to the telecommunications market.
ANOTHER STEP
FORWARD
With Releases 18 to 20, mobile telephony advances to 5.5G, which promises to create room for new business models, essential for the future monetization of the network.
THE 5G STANDALONE (Release 16) was a major breakthrough for telecommunications, allowing mobile operators to monetize the network with large data packages. However, it still falls short in terms of new services and applications that are exclusively 5G. The market now expects the new 3GPP releases to expand the infrastructure’s capabilities, enabling new business models and novel types of services. With 5.5G, we anticipate significant improvements in downlink, uplink, and operational network efficiency. The Internet of Things (IoT) ecosystem will also benefit from ultra-low-cost devices, starting with RedCap equipment and evolving toward Passive IoT devices that operate without batteries, serving tag-based applications.
5.5G is covered in Releases 18, 19, and 20, available from 2024 onward, and in Release 21— the 6G era— beginning around 2030. This marks another step forward in the telecommunications
landscape. Let’s take a quick trip down memory lane: the first generation (1G) emerged in 1980, enabling analog voice transmission with a business focus. The 2G era arrived in the following decade (1992), introducing digital voice and SMS, targeting consumers. Then, in 2002, 3G brought internet access to our palms, meeting business needs. Finally, 4G (2012) significantly improved web access, incorporating audio, video, apps, and IoT, with a stronger consumer focus.
Launched eight years later, in 2020, 5G technology flirted with augmented and virtual reality use cases, enhancing the offering for the business segment.
However, according to Henry Douglas Rodrigues, Executive Manager of Research, Development, and Innovation at the National Institute of Telecommunications (Inatel), it will be in 2030, with 6G, when technology truly advances with sensing capabilities and immersive
experiences, primarily catering to consumers. At that point, it will be possible to work with holograms, immersive communication, massive and ultra-reliable lowlatency communication.
“We observe maturity being reached every two generations. 3G aimed to transmit data, but it was slow, and 4G addressed that issue. While 5G promised a 1 millisecond latency, in practice it didn’t deliver. Now we expect 6G to become the mature version of 5G,” he comments. “6G won’t be deployed until 5G shows a return. And given that every ten years a new technology emerges, we can expect 7G by 2040.”
6G
won’t be deployed until 5G shows a return. And given that every ten years a new technology emerges, we can expect 7G by 2040.
HENRY DOUGLAS RODRIGUES
Executive Manager of Research, Development, and Innovation Inatel
The first version of 5G, launched with Release 16, focused on speed improvement. Professor Luciano Leonel Mendes, coordinator of xGMobile at the EMBRAPII-Inatel Competence Center, explains that “the following Releases, 17 and 18, are also part of 5G, but aim to evolve the technology as a gateway for areas such as the Internet of Things, energy efficiency, spectral efficiency, latency reduction, and communication robustness — all essential to improving network responsiveness for applications across various sectors.”
Eduardo Tude, founder and CEO of the consulting firm Teleco, clarifies that at the time of 5G specification, operators requested nonstandalone approach, which uses 5G radio with a 4G core, to speed up the technology migration process. Later, the 5G standalone with fully specified 5G core and subsequent releases refined the system. “As a technology is adopted, its problems and gaps are identified, leading to the proposal of further evolutions.”
“First, there’s the issue of speed, which jumps from the current 1 Gbps to 5 Gbps, potentially reaching 10 Gbps once spectrum is available. But to achieve this, it’s not just about technology, you need spectrum as well,” points out Carlos Roseiro, director of ICT Marketing at Huawei Brazil. An alternative—which mobile operators have been
advocating for—is to use the 6 GHz band, part of which is currently allocated for unlicensed use, similar to Wi-Fi. “Ideally, we do need the 6 GHz band because if we use millimeter wave, the range is shorter. Hence, this band is crucial for 5.5G,” emphasizes Roseiro.
Vinicius Caram, Superintendent of Licensing and Resources Provision at the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), emphasizes that the 6 GHz band could be a catalyst for a new carrier dedicated to 5.5G, with solutions focused on B2B. “However, discussions will also consider its use for 6G. It depends on market demand, ongoing tests using the band for IMT [International Mobile Telecommunications], and coexistence with restricted radiation (such as WiFi 7),” he explains.
Every new generation demands more spectrum, and the agency’s role, Caram recalls, is to ensure there is enough spectrum to allow the technology to enter the market, foster competition, and drive innovation. “We need to ensure that the market bets on Brazil, knowing that spectrum access remains available and technologically neutral,” Caram emphasizes.
SPECTRUM, DEVICES, AND SERVICES
As new technologies require more spectrum due to the need for larger channels, the regulatory agency evaluates the possibilities for allocating 6G. “If the 5G model ends up saturating the networks at 3.5 GHz, we’ll need to allow for new spectrums to ensure new business models,”
says Anatel’s superintendent. “We are studying the 6 GHz band for mobile networks because we believe that the sub-6 spectrum allows a mobility trade-off without the need to install excessive radio base stations,” he adds. Luciano Leonel Mendes suggests that refarming may be necessary to accommodate the new technology and make better use of it.
Another inherent challenge in advancing technology is the availability of devices ready for 5.5G. With Release 18 already finalized, network and device suppliers now have greater confidence in manufacturing equipment prepared for 5.5G. “Market chipsets are emerging that can aggregate three frequency bands and provide greater capacity to support 5.5G,” emphasizes Carlos Roseiro.
Although it is still early to envision autonomous cars spread across Brazilian highways, there is already exponential growth in connected cars—those equipped with embedded SIM cards. Network architecture advancements are paving the way for new services and other business models. “We expect networks to be populated by various things, including vehicles. As newly launched cars become connected, they’ll interact with cities, traffic lights, and control centers,” says Roseiro “Therefore, robust, widely distributed networks with significant traffichandling capacity are essential—not just for people but also for countless connected things.” It’s a case of building the network first, and then
the services will follow.
“Release 18 brings new features that add value to B2B. We hope companies can monetize by offering services to industry and logistics chains,” says Vinicius Caram.
However, according to Ari Lopes, leader of Service Provider Practices for the Americas at Omdia, 5.5G may still take some time to advance in Latin America. Telecom service providers in the region are still investing in the standalone phase of 5G. “I see 5.5G on a path further down the road, perhaps within two to three years. In Latin America, 5G will first be densified, and investment will be made in the network core. The 5G network still needs to grow, and use cases must be developed. To ride the 5.5G wave, the investments need to be absorbed,” he reflects.
“When a technology is launched, people won’t necessarily use it as initially envisioned. We witness people’s capacity for innovation on top of infrastructure,” says Luciano Mendes. “We will start seeing different applications for 5G that don’t solely target cell phones, some even enabling access via FWA (Fixed Wireless Access), which is a new way for operators to monetize the core,” he adds. The expectation is that more and more devices will connect through the 5G network, from watches to cars and factory facilities.
When a technology is launched, people won’t necessarily use it as initially envisioned. We witness people’s capacity for innovation on top of infrastructure.
LUCIANO MENDES Coordinator of xGMobile at EMBRAPII-Inatel Competence Center
The constant factor is the network evolution, allowing for the development of previously unimaginable applications. 5G SA and its 5.5G evolution pave the way for 6G, which is expected to break the barrier of device interaction — currently, there is no interaction with the network except through a device. “Internet everywhere is only possible with new functionalities, and I will no longer need my smartphone to be connected. Biological characteristics may become the authentication factor to link the virtual and real worlds through a network with features beyond 5G,” points out Mendes.
Secretary of Digital GovernmentFederal Government
CONNECTIVITY IS IMPERATIVE FOR DIGITAL GOVERNMENT
THE DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION within the Brazilian government has been advancing rapidly, bringing benefits to both citizens and public administration. With the goal of digitizing 90% of automatable public services, the federal government is revolutionizing how the population accesses and utilizes essential services. This process is driven by a robust connectivity infrastructure, which currently reaches over 187 million Brazilians through widespread 4G adoption and holds even greater possibilities with 5G.
Leading this transformation is Rogério Mascarenhas, Secretary of Digital Government. He’s been working to expand digital service offerings, enhance user experiences, and ensure the security and sovereignty of public data. “Without connectivity, everything we envision for digital services falls apart,” he emphasizes.
In this interview, Mascarenhas delves into the progress made, the challenges faced, and the future vision for an increasingly digital government. He highlights the critical role of integrating connectivity, efficient management, and technological innovation—not only for the benefit of citizens but also for the smooth functioning of the public administration.
What is the relevance of connectivity in the provisioning of public services in Brazil?
Connectivity is crucial; it serves as the foundation when discussing digital government. Without progress in this area, the entire framework we envision for digital services collapses. Presently, Brazil
ROGÉRIO MASCARENHAS
“Brazil has achieved a level of maturity in digital government that places us among the top five countries in this field. According to the UN, we rank the 14th country in terms of digital service offerings.”
boasts the fifth-largest connected population globally, with 187 million people using the internet out of a total population of 212 million. Remarkably, 99% of these connections occur through mobile devices, underscoring the critical importance of this infrastructure. Furthermore, according to the TIC Domicílios survey conducted by Cetic. br, 73% of Brazilians have already used digital services directly via their mobile phones.
How does connectivity influence the way the government provides digital services?
Brazil has achieved a level of maturity in digital government that places us among the top five countries in this field. According to the United Nations, we rank the 14th country in digital service offerings. This progress has only been made possible due to the existing connectivity infrastructure, which has allowed us to develop digital transformation plans over the years. Today, 90% of public services that can be digitized are already available online, and each government agency is responsible for implementing its vision for digital transformation.
Is the entire development of digital services centralized within the government, or is each agency responsible for its own implementation?
The process is decentralized. Each agency develops its own initiatives, while the Secretariat of Digital Government oversees and monitors these efforts. Additionally, we have the Startup Gov initiative, which accelerates projects of significant relevance to public policy. These projects involve multidisciplinary teams dedicated to developing digital services. In the second half of the year, we will launch a new call for proposals to select additional projects and further accelerate this agenda.
There are still areas in Brazil with significant connectivity gaps. How will digital services reach those areas?
We recognize that connectivity challenges exist in certain regions, especially in the northern part of the country, despite recent progress. We have mapped these regional difficulties, and beyond connectivity, we’ve identified a digital literacy issue —meaning a lack of skills to use online services. To address this, we’ve created the Balcão Gov.br program, aimed at improving digital literacy among the population. During the pilot phase, we’ve already had over 25,000 interactions, and 94% of people successfully completed their digital interactions.
Does the government have a specific goal for greater digitization, or is this an ongoing process?
I wouldn’t say it’s an infinite process, but it is certainly a long-term journey. Our goal is to expand and enhance the offering of digital services by the end of the current government term. While we’ve already digitized 90% of services that can be made digital, new services continually emerge, and there’s an ongoing need to improve the user experience. Therefore, in addition to expanding the service offerings, we are also focused on improving usability and quality of digital services.
What exactly is Balcão Gov.br, and how does it contribute to digital inclusion?
Balcão Gov.br goes beyond merely providing internet access points. We are using a methodology that empowers citizens to interact with digital services, overcoming technological barriers. So, it’s much more than just Wi-Fi —it’s about breaking down barriers. This pilot project is already operational in four locations, including Niterói (RJ), Lajes (SC), Teresina (PI), and all UAI units in Minas Gerais. The goal is to enhance digital literacy by teaching people how to effectively use online public services.
During her visit to Telebras, the Minister of Management and Innovation in Public Services, Esther Dweck, mentioned contracts with the Ministry of Labor and the Brazilian Postal Service (Correios). How do federal agencies fit into this project?
We are developing partnerships with states and municipalities and, at the federal level, with Correios. Telebras, Banco do Brasil and Caixa Econômica. Our goal
is to leverage these existing structures to enhance digital literacy in areas where we don’t have local partnerships. Through pilot programs, we are refining our methodology to empower service attendants to onboard more citizens into the digital world. Importantly, the services offered are not limited to federal entities alone. As the minister herself emphasizes, citizens are not solely federal or state; they reside in their local municipalities.
With this expansion of digitization and the increase in generated data, how will the government ensure data protection and privacy?
This is a critical topic. The Brazilian Artificial Intelligence Plan (PBIA) addresses the issue of the National Data Infrastructure, which serves as the foundation for data security and privacy. In 2023, we published Ordinance 5.950, which establishes guidelines for the use of the ‘sovereign cloud,’ managed by Serpro, Dataprev, and Telebras. The idea is to store critical data within these infrastructures to ensure operational sovereignty and data protection.
Wouldn’t the private sector have technological solutions capable of meeting these requirements?
When it comes to operations, it is also about this security framework, which is necessary for us to effectively ensure data protection. Both Serpro and Dataprev are already making substantial investments in this area. Private companies are also partners in this endeavor. Dataprev’s first agreement was signed with Huawei. Oracle and AWS are also moving toward creating cloud stacks or territories within state-owned enterprises. With these efforts, we aim to guarantee both data sovereignty and operational sovereignty. I want to highlight that Huawei stands out as the first partner to understand this movement by the Brazilian government.
Do these “territories” within the state cloud signal an understanding between the government and major providers?
The market is indeed beginning to understand this. Initially, the main challenges were related to delivery and shifting the business model. While it isn’t yet a universally established model, it’s not an isolated movement unique to the Brazilian government. The idea of a sovereign cloud has been under development. However, companies
“The goal [of Balcão Gov.br] is to enhance digital literacy by teaching people how to effectively use online public services.”
struggled to establish a business model that effectively implemented this. Additionally, there were challenges related to components and delivery delays.
These two factors slightly delayed the implementation. Nevertheless, major providers have now grasped the concept. We have planned investments of approximately R$ 1 billion being made by the two state-owned enterprises. Furthermore, this does not exclude the existence, at a later stage, of a public cloud process that we intend to bid on, which will complement the existing framework. Thus, government agency will have the option, based on data classification, to use either the government cloud or what we’re calling the 3.0 cloud, which will complement this process.
Externally, the goal was to put services in the palm of people’s hands. But inwardly, how is digital transformation progressing within the government itself?
This has been an important shift that we’ve been building over the years, which has gained significant momentum in the last two years. We’ve been particularly focused on the issue of government agencies —the increase in connectivity and the interoperability between them were intensified. Within the concept of “Conecta” (a program that unifies databases), I have an even larger vision, which we refer to as a national data infrastructure, built on the integration of databases to effectively implement public policies, whatever they are.
Agencies are becoming increasingly receptive to this approach. We’re even in the process of publishing regulatory guidelines to encourage agencies to make these databases available. There is a positive reception as they understand the principle of “once only,” which aims to avoiding situations where citizens have to prove a right or submit a declaration to another agency when the state already possesses that information. Ultimately, this approach also helps reducing their operational costs.
PRIVATE NETWORKS TAKE OFF IN THE COUNTRY
It’s time to sit down, plan, and crunch the numbers for investment to happen.
THE IMPLEMENTATION of private networks in Brazil has gained traction following the recent spectrum release by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel). Leveraging technologies such as LTE and 5G, these systems are being deployed in strategic sectors such as energy, transportation, and manufacturing. The creation of these private networks allows companies to operate with greater control, security, and efficiency, driving digital transformation across various industries.
According to data from consulting firm Omdia, the private networks market is rapidly expanding. The estimated global value for this sector is expected to increase from $34 billion in 2023 to $93 billion by 2028, with a growing number of implementations. Forecasts indicate that the total number of private networks worldwide will rise from 12,702 in 2023 to over 42,000 by 2028. Sectors with the highest number of implementations include transportation, manufacturing, and energy —areas heavily reliant on robust and secure connectivity to optimize their operations.
address operational challenges. Anatel issued Act 915, freeing up the 410 MHz and 450 MHz bands for Private Limited Service (SLP), paving the way for utilities to install their own networks. This move has sparked growing interest within the sector. Companies like CPFL, Neoenergia, and Eletrobras are among the major players, already developing their own initiatives to enhance connectivity in their operations.
Vinícius Caram, superintendent of Licensing and Resources for Service Provision at Anatel, highlights that 66 authorizations for private 5G cellular networks have already been granted in Brazil, 29 of which are related to the energy and utilities sector. Caram also notes that operating costs with private networks tend to be more viable, with a payback period of around three years. Additionally, companies are seeking specific technologies such as LTE for smaller projects and 5G for initiatives requiring high speed and low latency.
In Brazil, the electric sector has shown significant interest in adopting private networks to
“After the release of the 410/450 MHz spectrum, there’s been a lot of activity. Neoenergia has projects in Brasília; EDP has a proof of concept at 250 MHz; CPFL will deploy LTE networks in São Paulo and Rio Grande do Sul; Copel has a proof of concept in Curitiba; Santo Antônio Energia will have the largest private 5G network; Celesc has a 5G R&D project; Equatorial will launch a network in the Northeast region; Enel has a network at 700 MHz,
As of August this year, Omdia tracked 57 public announcements. But the numbers may be higher because suppliers and communication service providers don’t share much information, as many clients consider private 5G a competitive advantage.
PABLO TOMASI
Global Private Networks analyst at Omdia
but will expand to 450 MHz; Eletrobras will have private LTE; Eneva also has a project, and Energisa is in the planning stage,” details Caram.
The electric power sector’s interest in private networks is justified by the need for greater autonomy and security. The National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) sees private networks as essential for automation, data acquisition, real-time control, and cybersecurity, which are critical priorities for the sector.
Internationally, the outlook is also promising.
According to Omdia, Brazil stands out as a leader in private networks within Latin America. By 2024, 52% of global announcements for new networks will be related to 5G, reflecting a growing trend toward adopting this technology. However, this expansion requires substantial investments and strategic planning, especially when addressing remote areas with limited operator coverage.
“As of August this year, Omdia tracked 57 public announcements. But the numbers may be higher
because suppliers and communication service providers don’t share much information, as many clients consider private 5G a competitive advantage. Additionally, they don’t disclose figures for smaller networks, such as proofs of concept (PoCs). Furthermore, a client may have contracts for multiple networks,” says Pablo Tomasi, Global Private Networks analyst at Omdia.
Carlos Lauria, director of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs at Huawei Brazil, believes that the most suitable spectrum for private networks lies in the 700 MHz and 3.7 GHz/3.8 GHz frequencies. These bands are reserved by Anatel for companies to create their own networks in partnership, or not, with telecommunications operators. Huawei itself uses private networks at its facilities in 3.5 GHz in collaboration with Vivo.
“When developing a project, the user company assesses whether it will operate independently or in partnership with an operator. This decision depends on
ANEEL: PRIVATE NETWORKS MAKE US PROTAGONISTS
The National Electric Energy Agency (Aneel) asserts that private networks are critical for encompassing security, reliability, and operational efficiency within the power sector companies.
DIGITALIZATION, standards, interoperability, and cybersecurity are top priorities in the FiveYear Strategic Innovation Plan (PEQuI) for 2024–2028. Notably, private networks are highlighted, with incentivized research under the Research, Development, and Innovation (PDI) Program by Aneel. The agency has already identified four research projects running on 5G networks. Private networks are critical for the electric power sector due to reasons encompassing security, reliability, and operational efficiency of companies.
These private networks are indispensable because they allow autonomy and full control of infrastructure. They enable the operation of critical automation systems, data acquisition, and control. Additionally, private networks provide connectivity in remote areas, information security, protection against cyberattacks, operational resilience, flexibility, customization, long-term cost reduction, and integration of smart grids and IoT.
According to Aneel, the evolution towards smart grids and the integration of IoT technologies in the power sector rely on robust and reliable communication. Private networks enable the management of millions of connected devices, facilitating real-time monitoring, advanced
The 400 MHz range offers great coverage and allows companies to reduce costs and communicate with multiple devices. In Brazil, most organizations are restructuring their plans to implement 4G networks.
DYMITR WAJSMAN
factors such as whether the company that will benefit from the service has the capacity to manage a network and keep it up to date,” points out the expert. The advantages of 5G in private networks are significant and are particularly recommended if the company requires high speed or low latency.
Dymitr Wajsman, President of UTC Latin America, a professional association for telecommunications experts for utilities, notes that the electric power sector has historically operated private networks within the Private Limited Service (SLP) system. Until 2024,
equipment,” emphasizes Wajsman.
ELECTRIC SECTOR TAKES ACTION TO BUILD NETWORKS
THE ELECTRIC SECTOR has rolled up its sleeves and is one of the biggest investors in private networks. Ricardo Leite, Smart Grid Superintendent at Neoenergia, explains that the company will always prefer public networks, but this infrastructure isn’t always available in its areas of interest. Neoenergia was the first to obtain a license in the 400 MHz band in the Federal District and is implementing a Research & Development project with two LTE sites covering the Taguatinga region. They have two more sites in progress and expansion plans in place.
Eletrobras has issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) for the deployment of a private 5G network.
Initially, this network will cover a power plant as a pilot for future expansions aimed at supporting its operations. According to Lucas Pinz, Director of the company’s Center of Excellence, some project details are still being decided, such as where the pilot will be deployed, whether the network will be implemented by Eletrobras itself or through a contracted operator, and the frequency to be used.
CPFL is in the process of preparing a Request for Information (RFI) for the deployment of a low-cost private LTE network in the 400 MHz band. The energy distributor already uses a private network in the 250 MHz band in Rio Grande do Sul, covering two-thirds of the state. The plan is to evolve to an LTE network in the 450 MHz band in both the state and the smaller noncapital cities in São Paulo state.
automation, and energy consumption optimization. The ability to control this infrastructure within a private network is essential for the successful digitalization of the electric power sector.
The agency also highlights the potential revenue source. Private networks would allow utilities to position themselves as key players in universalizing access to telecommunications networks and streamlining the sharing of urban communication network infrastructures. This, in turn, could lead to cost reductions and generate supplementary revenues that positively impact tariff moderation.
EYES WIDE OPEN FOR SECURITY
As 5G networks experience exponential growth, the challenges lie in the data protection mechanisms used in applications developed by thousands of companies.
IT IS UNDENIABLE that 5G represents significant advancements in security and privacy compared to the 4G networks. Among telecommunications experts, there is consensus that this new technology addresses issues in these areas. Telecommunications operators are also playing their part by investing resources to maintain secure connectivity standards. However, this alignment within the 5G ecosystem is not enough to eliminate cybersecurity challenges. Among the requirements embedded in 5G technology are encryption and roaming security. Regarding encryption, the technological leap from 4G to 5G has enhanced capabilities, moving from 128 bits to 256 bits. Marcelo Motta, Director of Cybersecurity and Privacy at Huawei, notes that in the past, when a user made a phone call, information exchange with the telecommunications network occurred through plain text. “In other words, user data, initially, was shared in plain text. In 5G networks, this communication is already encrypted,” he says. According to Ítalo Tacca, an expert at the
Cybersecurity Center of the National Institute of Telecommunications (Inatel), encryption has been one of the main security gains in 5G technology. Tacca emphasizes the importance of user authentication undergoing a cryptographic process. “User data may be intercepted, but the attacker won’t be able to decrypt and identify the person. The 5G technology has solved the problem that could compromise user privacy,” he says.
SECONDARY AUTHENTICATIONS
Another gain lies in the security roaming function, which did not exist in 4G. Motta recalls that this function used to be external to network functions, but is now a specific network function in 5G. He explains that the carrier must recognize when it is interacting with a user who is a customer of another operator during a security process to accurately identify who is accessing the network. User authentication mechanism brought by 5G is another important advantage. Motta cites industrial
Today, most risks are related to applications, not critical telecommunications infrastructure. Thousands of companies create these applications, so it’s
important
to adopt a culture of cybersecurity and privacy to improve models within these other layers, which are out of carrier’s control.
MARCELO MOTTA Director of Cybersecurity and Privacy at Huawei
applications as an example. “In a 4G network, users authenticate only once—there is only primary authentication. With 5G, it is possible to enable secondary authentications depending on the environment or applications being accessed,” he says.
Through secondary authentications, it becomes possible to refine access permissions to systems, enhancing security and privacy aspects. Motta adds that in an IoT application, individualized permission levels can be structured. In practice, this means that the system will accept authentications for specific actions, depending on the level of consent for each user.
Despite 5G enhancing cybersecurity in telecommunications networks, it is not sufficient. According to Huawei’s Director of Cybersecurity and Privacy, 5G brings an exponential number of connections, including IoT applications. It is precisely in these applications where the critical security challenges lie, notes Motta.
“Today, most risks are related to applications, not critical telecommunications infrastructure. Thousands of companies create these applications, so it’s important to adopt a culture of cybersecurity and privacy to improve models within these other layers, which are out of carrier’s control.”
Globally, 5G technology follows deployment according to standards set by organizations, which are adopted by operators without major incidents. Motta observes that operators have worked to maintain connectivity quality and ensure network reliability to support thousands of applications. They use global references such as the GSMA Mobile Cybersecurity Knowledge Base (GSMA MCKB), a comprehensive library of cybersecurity threats and mitigation strategies built through cooperation among carriers, suppliers, and the industry in general.
[IoT applications] are susceptible to infections, meaning they can be compromised, and this is beyond the control of the carriers. Therefore, a secure ecosystem is necessary for developing these applications.
ÍTALO
TACCA
Cybersecurity expert at Inatel
environment and the world of digitized applications. Even with secure connectivity and network, other cybersecurity issues exist,” says the Huawei director.
In a data breach event, connectivity may be functioning properly. “Even with intact connectivity, there are other risks, such as data leaks and ransomware attacks. Currently, the average time for an organization to recover from a ransomware attack is five days,” emphasizes Motta.
In Brazil, according to data from June 2024 by the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel), there are around 29 million devices connected to the 5G network. This represents 11% of the total mobile connections enabled by Anatel across the entire country - approximately 260 million.
Tacca is concerned about the lack of a secure ecosystem in the development of applications that will run on the 5G network. For him, one of the biggest challenges involves IoT applications.
“They are susceptible to infections, meaning they can be compromised, and this is beyond the control of the carriers. Therefore, a secure ecosystem is necessary for developing these applications, with well-established update policies, for example,” says Tacca.
“Vulnerabilities are more related to the digital
In a situation where a device is compromised by a cyberattack, it would be ideal to anticipate security resources in the network capable of identifying abnormal behavior. “How this protection will be implemented is a challenge because there are still no defined standards in 5G technology,” warns Tacca.
ROAD
CONNECTIVITY NEEDS PLAN B
MOBILE CONNECTIVITY
along federal highways is a topic of great relevance for drivers, passengers, and Brazil’s economic development. Data from the National Telecommunications Agency (Anatel) reveal a scenario of progress, but also persistent gaps in cellular coverage along the main highways across the national territory.
While there have been significant improvements in recent years, especially in more populous and economically active regions, many stretches of federal highways still lack adequate cell phone coverage. This situation not only affects travelers’ personal communication but also impacts safety and the logistical efficiency
of road transport.
At first glance, the picture may seem encouraging. Out of the 122,000 kilometers of roads, over 88,000 kilometers have some type of coverage (3G, 4G, or 5G), with a predominance of 4G networks. However, this picture is heavily influenced by the concession highways - the ones that are privatized -, that account for 13,600 kilometers, of which nearly 90% (12,000 kilometers) have 4G coverage and 4,200 kilometers have 5G signal (31%). Outside the privately operated sections, among the 80,000 kilometers of nonconcession federal highways, 51,400 kilometers have 4G coverage (63%), and only 10,000 kilometers (12%)
FROM KILOMETER TO KILOMETER
Source: Anatel’s Infrastructure Panel
With
the frustration over the coverage promised in the 5G auction, the market is now waiting for the 700 MHz band to connect 35,000 km of highways.
have 5G signal. But, as recognized by Anatel, this is more related to connectivity reaching localities near the highways. [There are stretches that may simultaneously have 3G, 4G, and 5G coverage.]
“We have seen increased connectivity due to sector growth, not only because of highway coverage itself but also due to commitments to localities that extend to municipalities along the highways,” says Nilo Pasquali, superintendent of Planning and Regulation at the agency.
The great expectation to expand cellular coverage on highways came with the 5G auction, which tied this commitment to the 700 MHz spectrum offered. Thus, the implementation of at least 4G mobile networks across 35,000 kilometers of roads would be guaranteed.
However, this expectation was frustrated when the company that acquired the spectrum in the 2021 auction renounced it—just one week before the obligation to cover the first 3,500 kilometers was due.
In response to inquiries from the National Land Transport Agency (ANTT) regarding the impact of this renunciation on connectivity, Anatel admitted that “due to the
renunciation by the winner of the 700 MHz auction, coverage obligations on federal highways are currently suspended.”
As a result, the federal government ended up removing the coverage of the 35,000 kilometers of highways from the Growth Acceleration Program (New PAC). And it sought to compensate for part of the disappointment by including federal and state highways in projects eligible for funding from the Universalization Fund for Telecommunications Services (Fust).
However, the telecommunications sector points out that the most efficient path to resume these projects is the new offering of the 700 MHz spectrum to the market, and consequently associating it with coverage commitments on the country’s roads, as already publicly announced by Anatel.
“It’s important to remember that the impact of this measure goes beyond just the highways. This coverage benefits many small towns and villages located along the roads,” says Atilio Rulli, Vice President of Public Relations at Huawei.
Huawei is closely familiar with this topic, as it supplies LTE, 5G, and WiFi 6 equipment that has already enabled the installation of over 2,000 kilometers of connected highways, working in collaboration with mobile operators or road concessionaires.
“Road connectivity is a key project for interconnecting Brazil. We see it as a social endeavor since, in addition to today’s needs of vehicles and their occupants, there are often communities near the highways lacking
quality connectivity,” says Bruno Alvarenga, Wireless Products Manager at Huawei Brazil.
He emphasizes the importance of equipment capable of covering much larger areas than in cities. “These are 4G technology antennas, ready for a 5G upgrade, with greater coverage. Since the distances are extensive, the ideal approach is to cover them with fewer devices,” says Alvarenga.
As ANTT points out when analyzing the issue of cellular coverage on highways, “connectivity will no longer be necessary solely for user communication. It will become essential for concessionaires to bring greater operational efficiency, traffic monitoring and control, automatic incident detection, user information systems, real-time assistance, the expansion of free flow technologies, and autonomous vehicles.”
Road connectivity is a key project for interconnecting Brazil. We see it as a social endeavor since, in addition to today’s needs of vehicles and their occupants, there are often communities near the highways lacking quality connectivity.
BRUNO ALVARENGA
Wireless Products Manager at Huawei
A SLICE FOR THE REGIONAL PLAYERS
REGIONAL INTERNET PROVIDERS
in Brazil are also interested in connectivity projects for Brazilian highways. They are betting on the release of the 6 GHz band with WiFi 6E to implement their projects. According to Aristóteles Dantas, Chief Financial Officer of the Brazilian Association of Internet and Telecommunications Providers (Abrint), this will create new business opportunities for the entire ecosystem.
“The release of the 6 GHz outdoor band could give us larger spectrums to provide high-quality WiFi coverage,” he says, noting that the association has a project for creating an integration system that allows users to seamlessly switch from one WiFi network to another. Once the band is released, regional providers will be able to collaborate to cover portions of the highways in their regions. To strengthen the demand, Abrint has been working alongside other countries whose providers share similar interest.
The mission of the Huawei ICT Academy program in Brazil is to train 20,000 people in emerging technologies that contribute for market sustainability by the end of 2024. Globally, by 2027, over 1 million individuals will have been trained.
A LIGHT IN TALENT SHORTAGE
THE TECHNOLOGY MARKET in Brazil faces a paradoxical scenario: while innovations advance at a fast pace, the supply of qualified professionals to keep up with this evolution is insufficient. Emerging technologies such as 5G, artificial intelligence (AI), and the promising 6G require deep technical knowledge, which remains scarce in the country. This reality represents more than a challenge for companies - it is a warning sign that initiatives for training and capacity-building are essential to ensure business, market, and societal sustainability in an increasingly digital and constantly changing world.
According to a survey conducted by the Brazilian Association of Information Technology and Communication Companies and Digital Technologies (Brasscom), the technology market in Brazil will generate 797,000 job vacancies by 2025. However, the talent shortage is a reality. The same survey shows that the country produces only 53,000 professionals annually, far from meeting the demand.
Technology companies recognize the urgency and understand the need to adopt measures to address this alarming shortage. Huawei is one such company. It acknowledges that the progress of organizations, as well as the market and society, can only be sustainable through training programs that form professionals in strategic areas such as AI, 5G, cloud
computing, and cybersecurity.
With this goal in mind, Huawei ICT Academy was established in 2015 as a global initiative. It not only serves Huawei’s own needs but also contributes to the development of a more qualified workforce for the entire market, thereby expanding employment opportunities and, ultimately promoting social
HUAWEI ICT ACADEMY
WHO PARTICIPATES?
> Public institutions: municipal, state, federal universities, and federal institutes (600+ units across the country)
> Private institutions: technical schools, colleges, and universities
BENEFITS FOR STUDENTS
> Exposure to industry and advanced technologies
> Access to emerging technologies and Huawei’s online learning resources
> Simulation laboratory tools
> Industry-standard ICT training
> Increased job opportunities and career development
> Seminars, trips, and ICT-related competitions
> Significant enhancement of career competitiveness
How can we lead in 5G if we don’t have qualified people? We are addressing both our own challenges and those of the market.
VICTOR MONTENEGRO Head of Education & Social Value at Huawei
artificial intelligence, and 5G.
Montenegro emphasizes that Huawei recognizes its commitment to education also carries a social role, breaking down barriers by expanding its purpose based on three pillars: the first is to qualify people who are currently out of the workforce —Brazil has 9.6 million young people who neither study nor work, according to data from the Continuous National Household Sample Survey (PNAD) by IBGE, which represents almost 20% of people aged 15 to 29.
inclusion. In 2017, it arrived in Brazil, shedding light on the feared talent shortage.
FOCUS ON DIVERSITY
Victor Montenegro, Head of Education & Social Value at Huawei Brazil, explains that Huawei ICT Academy is a global program that covers the entire talent development process, from creating industryrecognized certification courses, to training instructors, setting up lab environments, certifying individuals, and facilitating employment. All of this is achieved through collaboration with both public and private educational institutions, as well as job fairs promoted by Huawei and its partners.
A key differentiator is that it offers training for teachers, students, and administrative staff from partner institutions, sponsored by the company across Brazil, especially in less privileged regions, typical of a continental sized country. Upon completing the program, students receive certificates that open doors in the job market.
The school-enterprise cooperation is at the heart of the program, aligning with the needs of higher education institutions to stimulate and boost careers in the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) sector. The professional courses of the ICT Academy cover topics such as big data, cloud computing,
The second pillar is to qualify employed individuals through current and emerging training, while the third is to train people in vulnerable situations, considering that Brazil has over 45 million people with some form of disability, accounting for 23.9% of the population, according to IBGE. “We are working hard with this group, updating our course materials and strategies to cater to people with special needs, starting with those who have visual and hearing impairments,” adds Montenegro.
“In recent years, over 50,000 people have been trained in the country. This year, among Huawei units, Brazil remains number one in technology training. “Globally, the goal is to train over 1 million people by 2027,” he announces, and challenges: “How can we lead in 5G if we don’t have qualified people? We are addressing both our own challenges and those of the market.”
TRAINING BEYOND BORDERS
One of the partners in the program is the National Institute of Telecommunications (Inatel). Through this partnership, students have expanded their knowledge in cutting-edge technologies and gained skills that are highly sought after in the job market.
Professor Guilherme Augusto Barucke Marcondes, Vice Director of Inatel, highlights digital resources such as email marketing and the institute’s website to spark young people’s interest in technology and, consequently, in technology-focused engineering courses —the flagship programs at the institution. However, it’s during visits to high schools that the magic truly happens.
“In face-to-face presentations, when promoting the automation field, for example, we bring robots into the classroom and show how to build a simple model. Then
we organize competitions among the robots, which stimulates curiosity. The same strategy is applied to areas like cybersecurity, programming, and biomedical engineering,” says Marcondes.
The interest of women in technology is a reality, but there’s room for progress, according to Marcondes. Overall, women represent 25% of the courses, and, as the professor notes, many of them are brilliant and have long carried the opportunities provided by programs like this on their resumes. Ana Paula Vilas Boas, for instance, was among the five students who participated in an exchange program in China in 2016.
“The Huawei Seeds for the Future program was an experience I will carry with me for life. After the exchange, I started an internship at Huawei. I was part of the first class of Inatel’s Talent Factory, where I received training and preparation for my work,” recalls Ana Paula.
Bruno de Almeida Dias, an engineer graduated from Inatel, is another example of the importance of early-career capacity building. “The Talent Factory was the best opportunity I could have had at the beginning of my career. I was part of the project in its very first cohort in 2017. After just over a year of internship, I was hired to work with Huawei, where I remained for almost five years,” he says.
The program’s expansion is ongoing. In June 2024, Inatel conducted a capacity-building program in Luanda, Angola, focused on mobile networks and IT infrastructure. Through its partnership with Huawei, the training aimed to prepare local engineers for the deployment, operation, and maintenance of 4G and 5G networks.”
HEADING TO CHINA!
Sousa still feels the impact of this opportunity. “It was a breath of life in my journey.”
He participated in the competition in the Cloud track and explored the Huawei Talent platform for study and training. IFPB qualified three teams for China, achieving significant positions in the Innovation (first place), Networks (second place), and Cloud (third place) tracks. Sousa’s team had Professor Michel Coura Dias as their tutor, along with fellow students Vinicius Simão and Abraão Borges.
The talented student from the Paraíba backlands has already completed courses in Computing, Cloud Services, Big Data, and Artificial Intelligence on the Huawei Talent platform. All this effort paid off: after the competition, Sousa was selected as one of the top 50 students in Brazil to participate in the Seeds for the Future program.
Born in São Paulo but raised in a small town in the arid region of Paraíba with less than 5,000 inhabitants, 22-year-old Pedro Henrique Barbosa de Sousa, a student at the Federal Institute of Education, Science, and Technology of Paraíba (IFPB), never imagined he would one day leave Pedra Branca for China —a major technological hub in the world.
This is yet another dream that became true through the Huawei ICT Competition, which took place in May 2024. Currently in his fourth semester studying Internet Systems at IFPB’s João Pessoa campus,
“I left the competition highly motivated to participate in others. My certainty is to never give up before trying. I want more. I want to occupy more spaces and inspire those who believe they don’t have the conditions to fight for their place, wherever and however it may be,” he shares.
For Huawei, the shortage of qualified professionals is not just an economic issue; it’s also a social one. Investing in the training of young adults, especially in less privileged regions, can transform lives by providing access to high-demand jobs with competitive salaries. Educational and technical training programs have the potential to reduce social inequality by including more people in the technology workforce.
Pedro Henrique Barbosa de Sousa, a student from Paraíba, received a medal for winning the Third World Prize in the Cloud Team category
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HAS ARRIVED TO NETWORKS AND USERS. NOW WHAT? IPv6
The migration to the new standard in the Brazilian market has progressed well in recent years among internet service providers and equipment manufacturers. Now, it is time for content providers to do their work.
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2001:0DB8:0234:AB00:0123:4567:8901:ABCD
THE SCARCITY of IP addresses was first noticed in the early 2000s when it became clear that the existing standard, IPv4, could not support the internet’s expansion. This led to the development of IPv6 and a migration movement. In Brazil, this trend gained momentum in 2014. Now, ten years later, it is evident that there has been significant progress in the availability and use of IPv6, which is now present in the networks of most internet service providers and in user equipment responsible for interfacing with these networks (such as cell phones and routers). However, the same level of progress has not ben achieved on the content providers side, leading to the implementation of a workaround solution (the so-called CGNAT-44), which allows the sharing of available IPv4 addresses among multiple users.
A study conducted by Huawei, Anatel, and Inatel last year indicates that the adoption rate in Brazil is around 50%, placing the country third in IPv6 adoption in Latin America and 22nd globally. While this is not bad, there’s room for improvement.
Carlos Lauria, Director of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs at Huawei Brazil, points out that the adoption rates are not higher because many Brazilian websites are still not compatible with the new standard. “This leaves part of the network less secure than they should be. When we talk about increasing IPv6 usage, we need to have the right equipment and applications,” he says.
Lauria emphasizes the necessity of end-to-end adoption of the new protocol. “There are no more IPv4 addresses to allocate, and the use of shared numbers raises significant security concerns,” he states. Furthermore, the growth of IoT and 5G applications increases the number of
When we talk about AI, digital nation, etc., these are all solutions and applications that need to be secure and fast. That’s why IPv6 is a priority for us, and we have invested significant resources into it.
CARLOS LAURIA Director of Government Relations and Regulatory Affairs
at Huawei Brazil
network elements within a given coverage area, further amplifying the need for IP addresses.
Lauria states that Huawei has been encouraging its clients to ensure end-to-end IPv6 security. “When we talk about AI, digital nation, etc., these are all solutions and applications that need to be secure and fast. That’s why IPv6 is a priority for us, and we have invested significant resources into it.”
A similar concern is shown by Anatel, which has required network equipment sold in Brazil to be certified for the new standard since 2016. Davison Gonzaga da Silva, the agency’s Certification Manager, notes that due to these efforts, Brazil’s core network now has 100% IPv6 support.
“The issue is that most websites still operate with IPv4. We don’t have much content available in the new standard,” he says. The reality is that these cases are beyond Anatel’s control and depend more on the decisions of content providers. Silva
We miss banks, government, and e-commerce portals adopting the protocol.
ANTONIO MOREIRAS
Project Development Manager at NIC.br
Smaller providers need technical training for their staff, and it is normal to encounter network implementation difficulties.
EVANDRO VARONIL Advisor of Abrint
expresses his expectation to start a project in 2025 that ensures at least the content generated by operators comply with IPv6 protocol.
EYEING SMALL PROVIDERS
Another focus of attention should be directed toward small and medium-sized providers, who will be the in the core of initiatives to be developed by the Brazilian Network Information Center (NIC.br). Milton Kashiwakura, director of Projects
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The issue is that most websites still operate with IPv4. We don’t have much content available in the new standard.
DAVISON GONZAGA DA SILVA Certification Manager at Anatel
The large operators have done their homework. Now the concern shifts to what is happening with medium and small providers.
MILTON KASHIWAKURA Director of Projects at NIC.br
at NIC.br, recalls that the institution was one of the first organizations to conduct training on the new protocol for the technical teams from providers and operators. However, he acknowledges that there is still much work to be done. “The large operators have done their homework. They understood, learned, and successfully transitioned their networks to IPv6 within this timeframe. Now the concern shifts to what is happening with medium and small providers,” he says.
Antonio Moreiras, Project Development Manager at NIC. br, believes that the market still faces three types of challenges in the migration process. First is the understanding of necessity. “We miss banks, government, and e-commerce portals adopting the protocol. The same applies to Operational Technology (OT) equipment -many do not have IPv6 chips because it is not mandatory,” he explains.
The second challenge relates to technical training. Moreiras points out that NIC.br has already produced –and continues to produce– a lot of material and training focused on this
topic. Finally, there is the issue of OT equipment and various other devices that connect to the internet, many of which still lack IPv6 support.
According to Kashiwakura, the slow pace is not a problem in the short term, as the internet has been growing at a slower pace in the postpandemic period. However, it can represent an obstacle in the future.
On its part, NIC.br has been seeking to stimulate this process. In 2023, the institution created an award that recognizes providers with the highest degree of IPv6 implementation -the Best Current Operational Practice (BCOP) Challenge. The initiative will be repeated this year, now including practices such as DNS7 and anti-spoofing.
Evandro Varonil, advisor of the Brazilian Association of Internet Providers (Abrint), acknowledges that IPv6 is the only path for internet development. However, some delays have led to the use of workarounds like CGNAT-44. “IPv4 still has a lifespan and is an important part of the internet,” he says, noting that regional providers have always advocated for the adoption of IPv6.
Following the model suggested by NIC.br, Varonil recalls that new providers are already launching their operations using the new protocol, but the universe to be covered by the migration is vast. “Some providers already have 100% of their base functioning on IPv6, but there are smaller ones that struggle with adoption. Smaller providers need technical training for their staff, and it is normal to encounter network implementation difficulties,” he explains.
THE VALUE OF ADOPTION
In research conducted on IPv6 usage in Brazil, Huawei, Anatel, and Inatel highlight the value that migration can bring to the Brazilian internet ecosystem. According to the study, the new standard can enhance security and drive progress in the digital economy, benefiting several sectors:
AGRICULTURE > The IPv6/IPv6 Enhanced technology can assist farmers in quickly connecting to cloud systems and provides pragmatic technical support for managing processes across major crops, livestock, poultry, and aquaculture.
EDUCATION > SRv6 with IPv6 Enhanced enables rapid service provisioning without the need for updates across the entire network. Cloud devices can quickly provision services for regional schools.
ENERGY > IPv6 Enhanced supports massive access, interconnection between domains, and end-to-end reach, assisting the energy sector in implementing comprehensive energy networks.
GOVERNMENT > IPv6 and IPv6 Enhanced assist digital government in realizing the “internet + government services” that are interconnected both vertically and horizontally, promoting collaboration among departments. Network slicing technology and integrated security features ensure data reliability and security.
FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS > IPv6 and IPv6 Enhanced assist the financial sector in digitalization, rapid service provisioning, video-based services, and accelerating ubiquitous financial IoT connections. IPv6 and AI enable clients to expand services through smart IP network expansion.
MANUFACTURING > IPv6 can converge and innovate in industrial network scenarios. The industrial internet aims to comprehensively connect all elements, industrial chains, and value chains by fully interconnecting people, machines, and objects.
OPERATORS > Can benefit from building IPv6-based network infrastructure and promoting IPv6 Enhanced technological innovations, including SRv6, network slicing, IFIT, and APN 6.
PUBLIC SERVICES AND SMART CITIES > IPv6 and IPv6 Enhanced enhance social governance in cities. At the individual level, these protocols offer increased security, and default encryption options provide enhanced protection for everyday online activities.
TRANSPORTATION > IPv6 supports the construction of digital collection systems, network transmission, and smart applications, promoting digital transformation and infrastructure modernization.
FUTURECOM: A SHOWCASE OF INNOVATIONS
Huawei embraces the motto “Connectivity with Intelligence” to showcase cutting-edge technology at the event, which takes place from October 8th to 10th in São Paulo. The exhibition features 5.5G, WiFi 7, 50 GPON, FTTO, enterprise network solutions, and much more.
“CONNECTIVITY WITH INTELLIGENCE”. This is the theme chosen by Huawei to showcase its innovations focused on both mobile and fixed networks, targeting consumer, residential, and corporate markets. These innovations are all integrated with emerging technologies such as cloud computing and AI.
Carlos Roseiro, Director of ICT Marketing at Huawei Brazil, explains that the company is demonstrating solutions “where artificial intelligence enhances the management and performance of various network elements, as well as different business models.” According to him, connectivity will continue to evolve, offering greater capacity and throughput, while increasingly incorporating intelligence into operator activities. He emphasizes that “AI is not a product. It is a
feature present in everything we are showcasing, and it can generate efficiency across all operations.”
CONSUMER > In the B2C market, the spotlight is on the introduction of 3D video services without the need for glasses, an emerging trend in Asian markets. More and more devices are supporting this technology, powered by highperformance 5G networks.
Roseiro highlights the trends shaping mobile operators’ business models, where monetization is driven by customer experience. Although large data packages will remain in use, many countries are already seeking alternatives, such as QoS or network slicing, to offer differentiated SLAs.
“To achieve this, we’ve introduced an intelligence layer (intelligence plane) into the
AI is not a product. It is a feature present in everything we are showcasing, and it can generate efficiency across all operations.
CARLOS ROSEIRO Director of ICT Marketing at Huawei
Brasil
network core to identify in real-time whether the customer is receiving the agreed-upon service level. If not, the solution prioritizes traffic,” explains Roseiro.
RESIDENTIAL > In the fixed network residential segment, the trend is to offer increasingly faster packages starting at 1 Gbps. Currently, in Brazil, around 4% of fixed network data packages are already at 1 Gbps, representing a 75% growth compared to last year.
To meet this growing demand, Huawei is showcasing its F30 solution (Fiber-to-the-Room, or FTTR). “It’s the only solution that delivers 1 Gbps to every room in the house,” emphasizes the director. Huawei is also unveiling upcoming innovations. The highlight is the new generation of OLTs [Optical Line Terminals] with
50 GPON capacity, compatible with 10 GPON and GPON. For home WiFi coverage, Huawei showcases the new version of FTTR, the F50, which allows speeds of 10 Gbps in every room.
“Today, with speeds of 1 Gbps, some operators are deploying 10 GPON. Huawei is the first vendor to launch 50 GPON, supporting ever-higher speeds. If operators adopt this solution, they will be able to deliver 1 Gbps to a much larger number of customers per residential area,” says Roseiro.
CORPORATE
> At Futurecom, Huawei Enterprise Brazil is presenting solutions for the corporate and public sectors, including storage and servers. One of the highlights is its ONTs [Optical Network Terminals] and routers featuring WiFi 7, aimed at companies that sell products and services to end consumers.
WiFi 7 technology represents a significant leap from WiFi 6, offering up to four times more bandwidth capacity. It provides an extremely fast and stable internet experience, ideal for meeting the increasing demands of end users.
Huawei is also highlighting its line of ONT products featuring trouble-free technology. This ensures uninterrupted WiFi, delivering enhanced user experiences and automatic optimization without manual intervention.
“In private 5G network solutions for the B2B segment, we will demonstrate that there are scenarios where fully isolated private networks are justified.
Additionally, we will also show that, in some cases, it is more appropriate to offer private networks over public 5G networks using solutions like network slicing to meet the required SLAs.”
For corporate fixed networks, the concept of campus networks will be showcased, featuring specific connectivity equipment, either IP or optical, with agreed service levels.
For small and medium-sized businesses, Huawei presents its eKit portfolio, which includes
fixed connectivity, cloud, and security solutions. The FTTO solution is in the spotlight - it is a WiFi connectivity solution with powered fiber, designed for offices seeking maximum speed throughout all spaces.
Finally, for large enterprises, Huawei presents case studies and specific networking solutions for seven different verticals, ranging from government to finance, oil and gas, mining, transportation, electricity, internet service providers (ISPs), and retail.
ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES
FUTURECOM
2024 is the stage for showcasing completely innovative technological solutions, a result of Huawei’s strong investment in research and development. Some of these solutions yet to be launched in the Brazilian market.
Among the new wireless solutions, the spotlight is on three groups of innovative antennas. The star of the portfolio is the Massive MIMO product family, with MetaAAU taking center stage, featuring its new dual-band capability.
Also on display is the new antenna designed for higher frequencies, known as millimeter waves, now equipped with ELAA technology. And the third group of antennas belongs to the Rural Star family, focused on FDD frequencies and aimed at rural areas without coverage. These are different solutions based on different scenarios in terms of population density (based on city size) or coverage needs (such as highways or agricultural areas).
Additionally, Huawei showcases a comprehensive range of solutions at the event, including data center infrastructure, cutting-edge storage equipment and technologies, and offerings from Huawei Cloud.
At the booth, there will be a demonstration of its AIpowered call center software (AICC). Visitors will have the opportunity to step into the role of an agent and see firsthand the types of suggestions the AICC provides based on customer’s tone of voice during the call.
